“Fake Beard Bandit” Arrested

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—James E. Finch, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Oklahoma, announces the arrest of the “Fake Beard Bandit.” Jason Andrew Day, 39 years of age, from Tulsa, Oklahoma was arrested on August 26, 2011 without incident.

Kansas City and Oklahoma City Divisions of the FBI launched digital billboards on August 5, 2011 asking for public assistance in identifying a bank robber dubbed the “Fake Beard Bandit.” Several tips were generated which led investigators to narrow their search to the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. On August 23, 2011, Liberty Bank in Fort Smith, Arkansas was robbed by a man matching the description of the “Fake Beard Bandit.” Local law enforcement received several tips identifying the robber as Day. Fort Smith FBI was able to secure an arrest warrant for Day and the FBI in Oklahoma secured a search warrant for Day’s residence. These warrants were served on August 26, 2011. Day was arrested without incident at his residence and items consistent with items used in the bank robberies were located in his home.

It is anticipated Day will be charged for all eight bank robberies which occurred in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas. These robberies were investigated by the FBI, the Oklahoma City Police Department, Coweta Police Department, Joplin Police Department and Fort Smith Police Department. The public is reminded that this arrest is merely an accusation and that the defendant are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.